Atlantic Coast High School teacher arrested on sex charges

Teacher accused of having sexual relationship with student

An Atlantic Coast High School teacher was arrested Friday on charges she had a sexual relationship with a student.

Danielle Reed, 23, is charged with custodial sexual battery on a victim older than 12 but younger than 18.

According to the police report, an officer met with the victim at the school Friday and the boy admitted to having had a sexual relationship with Reed last school year from March to June.

According to the report, the two planned to spend the night together but the victim knew his mother wouldn't allow it, so he made up a fake friend and Reed pretended to be the friend's mother.

Police said Reed drove with a black lab named Dexter to the victim's home and met with his mother. The mother agreed to allow her son to leave with Reed because she thought it was his friend's mother, according to the report.

The student said he told his mother about a month ago about having a sexual relationship with Reed, according to the police report. The victim's mother confirmed to police that Reed had come to their home to pick up her son.

Reed was booked into the Duval County jail with bail set at $150,000.

"It's crazy, man. I know him, I just had lunch with him, I saw him at lunch and he acted like nothing happened," student Ramon Bridges said.

The school district said Superintendent Nikolai Vitti, who's first full day on the job was Tuesday, will recommend suspension without pay pending termination for Reed at the Dec. 4 meeting of the Duval County School Board.

"She was the sweetest woman ever. I was shocked, I was appalled," said student Justin Pera, who added that Reed sponsored the anti-bullying club he is a part of. "I don't know. I don't believe it. Well, I kind of believe it, but we'll see. 'Til she's proven guilty, we'll give her the benefit of the doubt."

Reed was hired Aug. 17, 2011, as a ninth- and 10th-grade English teacher at Atlantic Coast.

"I am deeply troubled by the allegations of sexual misconduct by a teacher," Vitti said in a statement. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the alleged victim. This behavior is not representative of the more than 8,000 teachers in our classrooms who are positive role models for our students. The district is establishing a position in the Office of Professional Standards that will enhance the district's implementation of employee disciplinary guidelines and procedures, and institute additional training for employees."

Principal Debra Lynch, in a letter sent home with to parents on Tuesday, said, "The type of behavior allegedly demonstrated by the accused will not be tolerated because it does not accurately reflect the safe and effective learning environment we are committed to building and maintaining at Atlantic Coast High School."

Reed is the fifth Duval County teacher to be arrested in the last year and a half on charges of having sex with minors. Not all were students. This is the first case under Vitti.

Former Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals had been addressing the cases by forming a committee to review the districts policies.

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